New Wellington Phoenix coaches Darije Kalezić and Rado Vidošić have made their first new signing since taking charge of the club with gifted defender Scott Galloway inking a one-year deal.

The 22-year-old comes with a level of experience that defies his age, having also represented Australia at an U-20 FIFA World Cup.

“Scott possesses very good game awareness and technical ability and he is very effective on both side of the field”, said Vidošić.

“His versatility and ability to play both left and right fullback makes him a very important player for our team.”

“Scott is the right type of player that will easily fit into our football model and we expect him to contribute towards our football culture.”

After coming through the ranks of the Australian Institute of Sport, Perth-born Galloway caught the eye of then-Victory coach Ange Postecoglou in 2013, handing the teenager a full Hyundai A-League debut in a Melbourne derby.

A standout in a struggling Central Coast Mariners outfit last season, Galloway earned trials in the Netherlands but was convinced by Kalezić and Vidošić his future lay with the Phoenix.

“Rado gave me a call, asked me what I was doing and he said he was coming to Wellington, and I was all ears. I loved everything I heard about what he and Darije want to do, so now I’m here,” Galloway said

“It was a great experience trialing abroad but [Rado and Darije] convinced me that this would be the best place for me, to develop my game.

"The fact that Darije has coached in Netherlands, and brought through some top young players means I’m confident if I work hard, he can help take me to where I need to be.”